im pulling out the old muffler since its falling apart and putting in a flowmaster delta 40 series. What size inlet do i need. I am also going dual exhaust, so i know it should be 2.5 outlets since the pipe is 2.25 correcT?

My pipe is 2.5, on both sides... Usually you go smaller depending on engine, and if your going duals... If you have a v8 bigger pipes won't hurt but no gains after the muffler really it's such a smaller amount..

Do your research, is all I can tell you. I have been thru 3 different exhaust setups because I wasn't happy with the results. IMHO, if you are going duels, you will lose low end no matter what size you go with....or at least that was the case in my situation.

I also have a '97 5.2L truck. Here is what mine sounds like with a Flowmaster 40-series dual muffler:

http://www.dodgeforum.com/m_1272710/tm.htm

The muffler has a single inlet (2.5" probably) and dual outlets (either 2.25" or 2.5", not sure). I would probably go with 2.25" out if I were doing it. It sounds real mellow, and actually quiets down as the revs increase (I like that). There's no drone at all, and I was surprised by that. I don't know about any power gains/losses (because it was on the truck when I bought it), but it'll spin the 32" tires with moderate easeon dry pavement, so it couldn't have lost a lot of power. It's got a lot of low-end jump.

is that the two chamer original 40 series or the delta 40 series?

I don't know. It was on there when I bought it. The P.O.'s service records says it's a 40-series, but doesn't specify what type, or give a part number. And if Flowmaster molds any part numbers into the muffler case, they're on the top side, because nothing is visible from underneath.

But as quiet as it is (for a 40-series), I've gotta believe it's the Delta Flow model.

Edit: I will measure the case dimensions and inlet/outlet dimensions and see if I can determine what it is from the website.

I got a 3" Single In 3" Single out, it sounds good...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHN891Dw2Fk

ok. sounds good to me. it sounds to nice to be the original one.. its sounds more like the delta flow 40 series, which is the one i am interested in.

Don't do what i did....
http://www.dodgeforum.com/m_1258696/tm.htm

i did sell my delta flowmaster yesterday....

Okay, my muffler is 13" long, and 4" tall, and 9" wide. Inlet is 3" (although the actual pipe size is 2.5"), and the outlets are 2.5" (although the actual pipe size is 2.25" (or maybe 2"). There is a part number with those dimensions for the original 40-series (430402). There's also a part number for the Delta Flow (9430402). And I can actually see the spot welds for the interior baffles on the outside (small deformations in the otherwise smooth surface) and there's only one "triangular" baffle in the middle of the muffler, and one "concave" curved baffle near the back. If you look at the photo on Flowmaster's website for the original 40-series (http://www.flowmastermufflers.com/40_orig.html), that's my muffler. Whatever it is, the muffler, the pipe size, something. You can hear it...and it's not loud. I was never a fan of Flowmaster mufflers, but I think this one sounds real nice.

ok. so it the original 40 series then.. i'll have to order it then.

ORIGINAL: Stuff105

ok. so it the original 40 series then...


Well, that's my best guess. If you're concerned about it being too loud, I don't think you can go wrong with the Delta Flow 40.

loud.. nothing is ever to loud.. lol.. i just like the sound you have so i wanna try to match that.

Well, you outta match it exactly then. Here are some pics. The muffler has been on for a few years. Frankly, I expected it to look better than it does after such a short time period.

Edit: you can see where the spot welds are in this picture. I think you'll agree that this is the original 40, and not the Delta Flow.

http://www.jnjhome.net/forumPics/dodgedakota/muffler_front.jpg

http://www.jnjhome.net/forumPics/dodgedakota/muffler_rear.jpg

Flowmaster stamps thier part number on the back of the muffler. You can kinda see it in the first pic. That will tell you exactly what muffler you have.

thanks for the pictures. i would say its the orignal 40 because it has only one triangle shape to it while the delta flow has mutiple.

ORIGINAL: chris1974

Flowmaster stamps thier part number on the back of the muffler. You can kinda see it in the first pic. That will tell you exactly what muffler you have.


It says "INLET" on the front side of the muffler, and I can't see anything on the rear side. Is that "INLET" what you were talking about? Or is there something else that I'm not seeing?

Why would it cause you to lose low-end?

I talked to Flowmaster and they do stamp them on the "outlet" side, but I have looked and can't find anything. My FM looks wider than the one in the picture.

ive got a pic of a delta 40....bottomside
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t139/batman13x/100_0482.jpg
there are 3 triangle baffles

Thanks Batman. You can clearly see the 3 or 4 triangular baffles inside. Based on that picture, mine is clearly the original 40 series.

ORIGINAL: rpowell

Why would it cause you to lose low-end?


In theory, bolt-ons that would raise horsepower necessarily do it at a higher RPM, and sometimes low-end torque is lost in favor of high-end power. I've noticed this with air filters. Perhaps the exhaust has had this effect also. If so, the 5.2L is REALLY grunty, because it gets out of Dodge, so to speak,pretty dadgum quick...and that's with 50-lb 32" tires.

ORIGINAL: JasonA

ORIGINAL: rpowell

Why would it cause you to lose low-end?


In theory, bolt-ons that would raise horsepower necessarily do it at a higher RPM, and sometimes low-end torque is lost in favor of high-end power.Â* I've noticed this with air filters.Â* Perhaps the exhaust has had this effect also.Â* If so, the 5.2L is REALLY grunty, because it gets out of Dodge, so to speak,Â*pretty dadgum quick...and that's with 50-lb 32" tires.


LOL, I can't wait for 1st gear with my dakota (Okay i got a bit lazy...) But I can burn the tires ALmost in 2nd, if I get some water she will burn... This is with 31's.